I know a lot of us deal with fevers on a regular basis and I've had one for a really long time. When I don't have a fever, my normal body temp is usually 97.5. I figure since my body temp is fairly low that anything over 98.6 would be considered a fever. MY rheumy said that it doesn't matter what your normal body temp is and that she didn't consider my temp of 98.9 to be a fever when I was at my last visit in July. They take your temp with an ear thermometer which isn't very accurate anyway. I don't know why they do that. Anyway, I've read conflicting reports about when you consider yourself having a fever. What has anyone here heard?

09-10-2005, 03:37 PM

ClaireMacl

Hiya,

I just checked the conversion tables and to be honest, I wouldn't concider your rise in temp as a fever either, sorry. I'm a nurse in the UK, we don't concider anything below 38 degrees, which is 100.4F.

I often get night sweats and occasionally day fevers, but as a general rule, they don't show up so well with a thermometer... just by running my hands through my hair you can tell I'm not right, lol.

Sorry mate, I know its frustrating.... perhaps describing it in a different way, like if you wake with soaking hair like me... not a pyrexia, but a night sweat etc.

Cx

09-13-2005, 01:00 PM

Saysusie

Hi Hippimom2;
Body temperature is a measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a narrow, safe range in spite of large variations in temperatures outside the body.
Most people think of a "normal" body temperature as an oral temperature of 98.6 °F(37 °C). This is an average of normal body temperatures. Your temperature may actually be 1°F (0.6°C) or more above or below 98.6 °F(37 °C). Also, your normal body temperature changes by as much as 1°F (0.6°C) throughout the day, depending on how active you are and the time of day.
A rectal or ear (tympanic membrane) temperature reading is 0.5 to 1°F (0.3 to 0.6 °C) higher than an oral temperature reading. A temperature taken in the armpit is 0.5 to 1°F (0.3 to 0.6 °C) lower than an oral temperature reading.
Body temperature is very sensitive to hormone levels and may be higher or lower when a woman is ovulating or having her menstrual period.
In most adults, an oral temperature above 100 °F(37.8 °C) or a rectal or ear temperature above 101 °F(38.3 °C) is considered a fever.
So, it does not seem that your temperature of 98.9 would be considered a fever. Try not to overworry about this and cause yourself any undue stress.
I wish you the best
Saysusie